Shasta County celebrates community unity on Martin Luther King Day — Monday, Jan. 20 — with presentations, performances, a celebratory march and a community lunch served up by the Asphalt Cowboys.
Redding’s MLK Day events, which celebrate the minister and civil rights leader’s legacy, “calls for reflection, education and action toward creating positive change in our communities,” according to event coordinators.
This year’s event theme is ‘It starts with me: Shifting the cultural climate through the study and practice of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Six Principles of Nonviolence’. Those principles state nonviolence builds relationships, destroy injustice and inequality, shares love instead of hate, and is the way of God and a way of life for the courageous.
Here’s what’s happening and why we celebrate.
What’s happening on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Redding?
For the second year in a row, most events take place at Sequoia Middle School, 1805 Sequoia St. in Redding.
But first, there’s the annual MLK Day March, starting from the Shasta County Superior Courthouse (1500 Court St.). Participants gather at 10 a.m. for a prayer and praise circle at the courthouse, then march to the school, said Eddie McAllister, spokesman for co-hosting organization Shasta Beloved Community.
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Anyone is welcome to join the march, and people are welcome to bring signs with peaceful community-building messages of hope, he said.
People can park at the school before 9:30 a.m., then take a free shuttle to the courthouse at 9:30 a.m.
Marchers arrive back at the school in time for other events at 11:30 a.m. The program includes performances and speeches by local arts and community organizations, and the annual bell ringing ceremony.
More: Shasta community celebrates 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s ‘Dream’ speech
Attendees are also invited to join a community lunch at 1:30 p.m., served by philanthropic organization the Asphalt Cowboys.
An information fair also kicks off at that time. North State organizations staff booths with handouts that describe their missions, in line with King’s principles. They also share volunteer opportunities in celebration of the holiday’s tradition of community service.
Events wrap up at 3 p.m. They happen rain or shine, event coordinators said.
For updates or more information go to facebook.com/events/925202412914955.
File photo – Redding celebrates Martin Luther King Day Monday, Jan. 20, 2020 with a prayer circle at the Shasta County Courthouse and a march to the MLK Center for lunch.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrate civil rights leader’s message in his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech
Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations come more than 61 years after the civil rights leader’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. King delivered his famous call for inclusivity, equality and freedom on Aug. 28, 1963, during the historic march on Washington, D.C.
For those who share his vision, King’s optimistic words carry the same message of hope today: “We refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt,” King said.
King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech “serves as a reminder of the power of visionary leadership and the pursuit of equality. Dr. King’s words continue to inspire generations advocating for justice, unity and a society free from discrimination,” McAllister said in 2023, during the 60th anniversary of the march.
Watch an excerpt from King’s speech at facebook.com/MartinLutherKingJr/videos/1069170701487231.
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Redding MLK Day 2025 includes march, prayer, bell ringing